Meaning of DERIVE in English

DERIVE

də̇ˈrīv, dēˈ- verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle English deriven to come (as from a source), receive (as from a source), divert (as water) into a different channel, from Middle French deriver, from Latin derivare to divert (as water) into a different channel, derive (one word from another), from de- + -rivare (from rivus stream, brook) — more at rise

transitive verb

1.

a. : to take or receive especially from a source

an English loanword derived from German

the river derives its name from an Indian chief

the mills derive their power from the falls

he derives much of his income from investments

b. : to obtain or gain through heredity or by transmission from environment or circumstance